Chapter 44: Encounter with Hawkeye
When Crocodile heard that, his face darkened again. The corner of his mouth twitched — he had the sudden urge to punch someone.
"How long are you planning to stay here?"
Jiang Qize asked.
"I'll leave once my business is done."
"Oh."
"I'm leaving tomorrow. Give me a Den Den Mushi — for contact."
"Hmph!"
Crocodile snorted coldly and, with a proud air, pulled a Den Den Mushi from somewhere and handed it over. He looked particularly tsundere while doing it.
"Thanks. Oh, by the way, do you have any cash on you—"
"Get lost!"
"Alright then."
…
The next day.
At Whiskey Peak's harbor, a large ship bearing a golden dragon skull flag was moored. Two dinosaurs, each over ten meters long, lay sprawled across the deck. Two small figures were pulling at the sails, while another stood proudly at the bow — his silver hair fluttering in the wind.
A pterosaur circled high above, nearly a thousand meters in the air.
"Raise the sails — set off!"
Jiang Qize shouted with bold enthusiasm.
"Oooh ooooh ooooh!" The little monkey on his shoulder mimicked him, calling out to the sea — utterly adorable.
Whirrr!
Camon and young Robin pulled down the ropes, and three sails unfurled.
A gust of strong wind swept through, and the ship began to move.
Bang!
The hull gave a light tremor as the ship picked up speed — and soon, it vanished beyond the horizon.
The townsfolk and bounty hunters nearby all breathed sighs of relief.
Standing before a building, Crocodile watched the fading silhouette of the ship, eyes glinting with sharp light.
"Just what kind of person are you… to be able to command sea beasts and dinosaurs?"
He already knew there was a massive creature lurking beneath the waves — that was what shocked him the most.
"Well, working with someone full of secrets isn't bad either… I just hope you don't disappoint me."
With a proud gleam in his eyes, Crocodile turned and disappeared.
…
Out at sea.
On the deck, Jiang Qize was bare-chested, doing push-ups on the wooden planks.
"Three thousand sixty-nine… three thousand seventy…"
The sun blazed down on his crimson-toned body. Sweat barely emerged before it evaporated into mist, wrapping faintly around him.
Beside him, two small figures — Camon and little Robin — were also doing push-ups.
Their faces were flushed red, teeth clenched tightly. Their thin arms trembled as they moved, struggling but refusing to stop. They fell, then got up again, determination burning in their eyes. The deck beneath them was already slick with sweat.
Meanwhile, the Tyrannosaurus had lowered its enormous head onto the deck, watching their up-and-down motions. Its round eyes followed them closely — oddly fascinated.
"Kyah~!"
Suddenly, Wukong the pterosaur cried out from above.
Thump! Thump!
Raptorex stood up at once, gazing in the direction the cry came from.
A small boat was slowly approaching from the distance.
"Sir, someone's coming," Raptorex rumbled.
Jiang Qize lowered himself slightly, eyes flashing with sharp light as he stood.
When he saw the figure on the small boat, his pupils shrank.
"Hawkeye…? What's he doing here?"
On the small boat, Dracule Mihawk — the world's greatest swordsman — felt someone's gaze. He turned his sharp eyes across the hundred-meter distance; his hawk-like pupils gleamed coldly.
"A pirate, huh… What a pity — not a swordsman."
"But that giant…"
His eyes locked onto the Bronze Giant, and a spark of battle intent flickered there.
Soon, the two ships drifted side by side.
"Fight me — and I'll let you go!"
Mihawk tapped his foot lightly and soared onto Jiang Qize's deck, eyes fixed on Raptorex.
Raptorex took one wide step forward and stood protectively in front of Jiang Qize.
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